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1/31/2017

You are receiving Sharing Neighborhoods as a registered subscriber. Sharing Neighborhoods is a publication of New Jersey SHARES, on the web at www.NJSHARES.org.

PRESIDENTS MESSAGE

Jim Jacob, President & CEO

Presidentís Message

Colder weather means more of the household budget will be spent to keep the heat on. For some of our New Jersey neighbors the extra burden will be too much to bear.

NJ SHARES offers a safety-net for low to moderate income families who do not qualify for low income programs but due to a financial, crisis coupled with the high cost of living are struggling to stay afloat. NJ SHARES provides utility bill assistance to moderate and fixed-income households experiencing a financial emergency, allowing our neighbors to remain safe and warm in their home while they work on resolving their financial burdens.

In New Jersey, sustainability for a family in many counties is 400 percent of the federal poverty level because the cost of living, especially housing, is so high. NJ SHARES extends the energy safety net to 400 percent of the federal poverty level – double the income qualifier of the federal program. This eligibility rule allows us to help a group of people who would otherwise have nowhere to turn when things go off track and they need help to steady them on their path to sustainability.

Relying on the generosity of our neighbors who donate and the utility companies who match those donations as well as our corporate and foundation contributors, NJ SHARES offers grants for electric and natural gas assistance at a maximum combined grant of up to $1,200. Visit www.njshares.org to see how your warm heart can heat a home and for more information on how to apply for assistance.

In addition to our existing statewide energy assistance program, NJ SHARES has partnered with Atlantic City Electric (ACE) to administer their Helping Hands program which will provide a maximum grant of $200 to ACE residential customers who earn income less than 400 percent of the federal poverty level. The ACE Helping Hands grant can be applied to utility bills in addition to NJ SHARES or LIHEAP assistance. This is great news for the population in South Jersey that has been suffering through very difficult economic times.

Thanks to ACE for finding an additional way to help their customers and to our agency and legislative network of partners who will be connecting their clients and constituents with our programs throughout the year.

Warm Regards,

Jim Jacob

What's New

NJ SHARESí NOW TAKING APPLICATIONS FOR THE ACE HELPING HANDS PROGRAM

Last month, Atlantic City Electric (ACE) and NJ SHARES partnered to establish an electric assistance program called ACE Helping Hands to provide supplemental energy assistance to ACE customers who need additional financial help with their electric bill. The program is now available in the NJ SHARES grant processing system.

The income guideline for the program will allow any ACE residential customer earning under 400 percent of the federal poverty level to apply for a maximum grant of $200. The grant will subsidize other energy assistance available to ACE customers such as the Federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program and our NJ SHARES energy assistance program.

Income eligible customers may benefit from ACE Helping Hands in addition to other income eligible energy assistance programs and should apply for the program through the NJ SHARES agency network.

Pictured at the event are NJ SHARES Board and Executive staff members and friends. Front row: Jim Dieterle, Barbara Gomes and Jacob Toporek. Back Row: Jim Jacob and Matthew Jacob.

Thanks to all of our supporters who came out to the New Jersey DEVILS January 20, 2017! The New Jersey Devils ‘Shared the Warmth’ on Friday, January 20, 2017 when they took the ice against the Montreal Canadiens, benefiting NJ SHARES. The Devils provided discount stadium tickets to our supporters, played our 30 second public service announcement on the Jumbotron during the game and allowed NJ SHARES to staff a table on the concourse to talk to fans about our energy assistance programs. “The NJ Devils have been a wonderful community partner and their support enables NJ SHARES to help families who need heat this season,” said Jim Jacob, NJ SHARES President and CEO. Thanks to everyone for their support!!!

If you experience technical problems with the discount code or need printable tickets, please call Joshua Malakoff at 973-757-6162. Note: The promo code is not compatible with Internet Explorer, please use other browsers such as Chrome or Firefox

Pictured is Jim Jacob speaking at the Anti Poverty General Meeting this Month.

Jim Jacob presented information on the new Atlantic City Electric/NJ SHARES program established for their customers called Helping Hands and on the Earned Income Tax Credit also known as (EITC) at the Anti Poverty Network meeting this month.

According to the latest United Way of Northern New Jersey ALICE Report, 1.2 million households in New Jersey are unable to afford the state’s high cost of living. That number includes those living in poverty and the population called ALICE, which stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed.

The Earned Income Tax Credit aka EITC, is a benefit for working people who have low to moderate income. A tax credit means more money in your pocket. It reduces the amount of tax you owe and may also give you a refund.

In recognition of EITC Awareness Day, there was a clear call to action for advocacy for the EITC since New Jersey’s participation rate ranks 35th out of 50 states and the District of Columbia. Our neighboring states – Delaware, New York and Pennsylvania all rank within the top ten in participation in EITC.

Jim Jacob thanked our founding Board member, Michael Swayze for his advocacy and his work on the New Jersey Community Resources website where up-to-date information can be found. “Programs like the EITC and NJ SHARES energy assistance for working poor households are just the kind of ammunition needed to combat the complex poverty problem in New Jersey,” said Jacob. To learn more visit the Anti-Poverty Network’s Economic Empowerment Agenda.

PSE&G and Atlantic City Electric Host Social Service Energy Assistance Workshops

PSE&G and Atlantic City Electric are teaming up to reach out to social service professionals in Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem counties. Social Service professionals are invited for coffee and conversation about various programs available. NJ SHARES will be on hand to present our program information at each meeting. If you are a social service professional serving the above mentioned counties, there are two more opportunities to attend! Please click through the link below and register for one event that works for your schedule. Please note - this event is for Social Service professionals only.

NJ SHARES is fortunate to partner with more than 230 agencies around the state. Each organization has a different mission and focus but all provide holistic solutions for their community. NJ SHARES is delighted to highlight our partnership with one of our founding agency partners, the North Hudson Community Action Corporation (NHCAC).

For more than 50 years, NHCAC has been committed to people who are trying to make a better life. “NJ SHARES congratulates NHCAC for their more than 50 years in service,” said Jim Jacob NJ SHARES President and CEO. Jacob continued, “NJ SHARES and NHCAC shares the same culture of working together with our neighbors to provide guidance and support to build stronger families and communities. NJ SHARES is grateful for our continued partnership with NHCAC.”

“NHCAC has partnered with NJ SHARES since 1998 when their energy assistance program for the working poor and limited income seniors began, said Joan M. Quigley, NHCAC President/CEO. Quigley continued, “We are proud to offer NJ SHARES resources to this often forgotten population.”

NHCAC provides essential health and social programs to those in need. In addition to the NJ SHARES programs, these include Emergency Assistance, Rapid Re-Housing, WIC, Head Start/Early Head Start, Immigration assistance, Job Placement, Tenant Advocacy, Housing Counseling, and Project Shape for senior citizens. NHCAC also supports residents living in Hudson, Bergen, and Passaic Counties to receive high-quality primary health care services for OB/GYN, pediatrics, internal medicine, and dental. However, NHCAC depends largely on public support to offer these programs to underserved community members at little or no cost.

Assemblywoman Angelica M. Jimenez’s office will take applications for eligible constituents who need utility bill assistance. “I am proud that my office has partnered with NJ SHARES to bring assistance to those constituents who may be experiencing financial hardships and who need help paying their energy and utility bills,” said Assemblywoman Jimenez.

Last month, Dena Shipley, NJ SHARES’ Outreach Coordinator met with Cindy T. Trejo, Legislative Aide/Constituent Relations for Assemblywoman Angelica M. Jimenez of the 32nd district to train Assemblywoman Jimenez’s District Office on NJ SHARES’ programs. NJ SHARES President and CEO Jim Jacob said, “We are excited to work with Assemblywoman Jimenez and her staff to help hardworking households in the 32nd legislative district afford their utility bills”.

The 32nd district represented by Assemblywoman Jimenez includes the Bergen and Hudson county populations of East Newark, Edgewater, Fairview, Guttenberg, Harrison, Kearny, North Bergen Secaucus and West New York. The Assemblywoman serves as vice chair of the Regulated Professions Committee as well as serving on the Education and Health and Senior Services Committees.

agency Toolbox

Federal Poverty Guideline Update

The United States Department of Health and Human Services issued the 2017 Federal Poverty Guideline update. All of the NJ SHARES’ administered programs were updated to reflect the change. The updates increase the maximum income level to qualify for assistance. The NJ SHARES system reflects the new income guidelines and training packets are available as of January 30, 2017.